After Transplant Reduce the Incidence of Skin Cancer (AT-RISC)

Skin cancer is the most common cancer after transplantation and will affect the majority of long term transplant recipients. As Dr. Clark Otely, put it, some patients will develop skin cancers that will affect their quality of life and some will die from skin cancers that robbed them of their GIFT OF LIFE.

This major endeavor was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Connectics Cooperation. The collaborative group consisted of The International Transplant Skin Care Collaborative (ITSSC), The International Transplant Nurses Society (ITNS), Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO) and Weisscom Medical Communications who then formed the After Transplant-Reduce the Incidence of Skin Cancer (AT-RISC).

For the past six months, this collaborative group has worked to introduce an awareness campaign for patients and medical professionals. Through active prevention and early diagnosis this campaign is dedicated to reducing the incidence and severity of skin cancer in solid organ transplant recipients.

AT-RISC showcased this campaign at the Transplant Games in June and then at the World Transplant Congress in July. Our emphasis was to “Train the Trainer” by introducing educational materials that would implement the AT-RISC vision. With a group effort we developed a website, a professional and patient education toolbox, a patient education pamphlet “Know the Facts”, and a testimonial video.

The highlight was when our “Train the Trainer” seminar’s which were well attended sparked a reality that we need to do a better job of educating our patients about the risks of skin cancer and how we can help decrease the impact of skin cancer in their lives.

For any questions, more information or to order materials visit us at AT-RISC.org, or ITSCC.org, or contact us.